Honduras 17 Itinerary - Audubon Naturalist Society | …. Great and Northern Potoo are also...

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Birding Honduras A Week at the Spectacular Pico Bonito Lodge November 11–18, 2017 Leaders: Rob Gibbs & Local Guides The large Pico Bonito National Park, over a quarter million acres in size, lies about midway along the northern coast of Honduras, protecting pristine forests in a transect from low foothills near the coast to high mountain peaks. Refuges along the Caribbean coast are just a few miles away. At the park’s edge lies The Lodge at Pico Bonito, a wonderfully comfortable lodge that has become one of the latest hot destinations for nature enthusiasts. National Geographic Traveler magazine listed this lodge among its top 50 eco-lodges of the world. The Audubon Naturalist Society is pleased to offer our 2nd trip to this lodge giving our members chances to see a great variety of birds and other tropical wildlife while enjoying the comforts and excellent food of this highly regarded destination. Some comments from our 2015 Pico Bonito travelers: "The local guides exceeded all expectations. The lodge, food and service were outstanding." "It was lovely staying in one place and not moving every few days. Another wonderful aspect was the variety of outings, boat trips, train trips, snorkelling." You’ll arrive at the spacious reception area and then follow gravel paths to your cabin, each tucked into the luxuriant tropical forest. Every cabin is made of beautiful tropical hardwood and features comfortable furnishings, large louvered and screened windows, with cooling options of air conditioning or efficient ceiling fans.

Transcript of Honduras 17 Itinerary - Audubon Naturalist Society | …. Great and Northern Potoo are also...

BirdingHondurasAWeekattheSpectacularPicoBonitoLodge

November11–18,2017Leaders:RobGibbs&LocalGuides

ThelargePicoBonitoNationalPark,overaquartermillionacresinsize,liesaboutmidwayalongthenortherncoastofHonduras,protectingpristineforestsinatransectfromlowfoothillsnearthecoasttohighmountainpeaks.RefugesalongtheCaribbeancoastarejustafewmilesaway.Atthepark’sedgeliesTheLodgeatPicoBonito,awonderfullycomfortablelodgethathasbecomeoneofthelatesthotdestinationsfornatureenthusiasts.NationalGeographicTravelermagazinelistedthislodgeamongitstop50eco-lodgesoftheworld.TheAudubonNaturalistSocietyispleasedtoofferour2ndtriptothislodgegivingourmemberschancestoseeagreatvarietyofbirdsandothertropicalwildlifewhileenjoyingthecomfortsandexcellentfoodofthishighlyregardeddestination.

Somecommentsfromour2015PicoBonitotravelers:

"Thelocalguidesexceededallexpectations.Thelodge,foodandservicewereoutstanding."

"Itwaslovelystayinginoneplaceandnotmovingeveryfewdays.Anotherwonderfulaspectwasthevarietyofoutings,boattrips,traintrips,snorkelling."

You’llarriveatthespaciousreceptionareaandthenfollowgravelpathstoyourcabin,eachtuckedintotheluxurianttropicalforest.Everycabinismadeofbeautifultropicalhardwoodandfeaturescomfortablefurnishings,largelouveredandscreenedwindows,withcoolingoptionsofairconditioningorefficientceilingfans.

Thelodgehasanexcellentrestaurantadjacenttothereceptionarea,andallbreakfastsanddinnerswillbeservedhere,withlunchessomedayshereandonotherdaysatlocationsnearertothefieldtripdestinations.AllmealsfromdinneronNov.11throughbreakfastonNov.18areincluded.Choosefromanextensivesetofchoicesonthemenu,withextraspecialdishes(suchasalobsterdinner)availableforasmallsurcharge.Beautifulgardensandapleasantswimmingpoolsurroundthemainlodgebuildings,withwell-maintainedtrailsleadingoutintotheforestsoftheNationalPark.You’llhavetimetoexplorethegroundsandtrailsofTheLodgewithyourleader,onyourown,orsomeofeach.Therearehummingbirdfeedersandfruitingtreesrightnexttotherestaurantandreceptionareawheremanybirdscanbeseeneveryday.There’salotofotherwildlifehere,andyou’resuretoenjoythelizards,mammals,frogs,andbutterfliesyou’llbeseeingeachday.WefeelthatTheLodgeatPicoBonitoprovidesoneofthenicest,mostcomfortablebaseswe’veseenforexploringandlearningaboutbirdsandotherelementsofLatinAmericannaturalhistory.Thefollowingday-to-dayitineraryrepresentsanoutlineofourplans.Detailsmaybechangedattheleaders’discretionforanyreasonthat,intheleaders’judgment,willincreasethesafetyandenjoymentofthemajorityoftheparticipants.Saturday,Nov.11AfteranmiddayarrivalintoSanPedroSulaInternationalAirport,you’llmeetyourlocalguideandheadeastalongHonduras’NorthCoasttowardsTheLodgeatPicoBonito,thehighlyacclaimedbirding/rainforestresortwithin270,000acrePicoBonitoNationalPark.Thedrivetakesabout2½hoursandleadsthroughafascinatingmixofforests,farms,andsmalltowns.Wewillstopforrestroomsandasnackalongtheway,andalateafternoonarrivalatTheLodgewillaffordeveryonetimetounpack,refresh,andenjoysomelightbirdingofthegroundsbeforedinner.(You’llchooseyourmealsthroughouttheweekfromasurprisinglyextensiveandvariedmenu.)Sunday,Nov.12OurfirstmorningatTheLodgeatPicoBonitowillbeginat6:00AM,withanearlybreakfastandthenanorientationonthespacious,frontdeckoftheLodge’sItzamaRestaurant.ForthenextseveralhoursourguidewillleadusthroughTheLodgegrounds,spottingnumerousbirdspeciesthatarecommonintheearlyhours.Aclimbtothetopofthe“ToucanTower”observationplatformoffersabird’seyeviewoftheforestcanopythatoftenincludesheart-stoppingviewsofthecovetedLovelyCotinga.ThroughoutthemorningwewillenjoyaleisurelystrollthroughtropicalforestsandplantationareasalongtheRioColoradito.Thisareaishometoagreatdiversityofbirds,andspecieswemightfindincludeLovelyCotinga,MaskedTityra,Blue-crownedMotmot,Keel-billedToucan,CollaredAracari,FerruginousPygmy-Owl,Black-cowledOriole,Black-headedTrogon,Red-LeggedHoneycreeper,anduptoadozenspeciesofHummingbirds,includingCrowned

Woodnymph,Blue-throatedSapphire,VioletSabrewing,Purple-crownedFairy,Stripe-tailedHummingbird,BrownViolet-ear,GreenViolet-earandWhite-neckedJacobin.

Afterlunchandalightsiesta,we’llheadfurtheralongonTheLodge’slooptrailsysteminsearchofforestinteriorbirds.InadditiontotheToucanToweratthetrail’sbeginning,thisrouteoffersanelevatedridgeplatform,whichoverlookstheRioColoraditoandsurroundingforestedslopes.WellalsovisitobservationTower#3alongtheway,setamidstanareaofbird-richsecondaryforestandovergrownplantation.White-collaredandRed-cappedManakinoccuratvariouslocationshere,andtheGray-headedPipritesmay(rarely)beseenaswell.BothKeel-billedandTodyMotmotarefrequentlyencounteredalongthisroute.OtherspecieswehavethechancetofindhereincludetheGreatCurassow,CrestedGuan,Slaty-breastedTinamou,Scaly-throatedLeaftosser,Yellow-earedToucanet,ahostofflycatchers,includingtheimpressiveRoyalFlycatcher,andmanyof

thetrogon,woodpecker,woodcreeper,tanagerandoriolespeciesonTheLodge’sbirdlist,whichhasover420species.InadditiontosuperbviewingfromTheLodge’stowers,thisroutepassesseveraloverlooksalongtheRioColoradito.Sightingsofmanyraptorscanoftenbemadehere.GreatandNorthernPotooarealsopossibilities;we’llsearchforthesesupremelycamouflagedbirdsupinthetreesthatlinethetrails.Monday,Nov.13CueroySaladoWildlifeRefugeisnamedfortheCueroandSaladoRivers,whichmeettheoceanhere.TheRefugecomprisesover35,000acresofrivers,lagoons,mangroves,andforeststhatarehometodiversewildlifeandavarietyofbirdsexceeding350species.We’llmeetourguideearlyforbreakfast,anddepartfortherefugeby6:30am.Accessintothiswildernessisviaasmallmotorizedtrain,whichtakesusalongacenturyoldtrackthroughbird-richranchlands,marshlands,andsmallplantations,ultimatelyarrivingatthemouthoftheSaladoRiverandtheRefugeitself.Birdingfromthetrainisalwaysfunandexciting,astheconductoriseagertostopandpointoutspeciesofinterestalongtheway.Dependingonseason,avarietyofraptors,wadingbirdsandedge-habitatspeciesaboundalongtherailway.OnceattheRefuge,wewillexplorethevariousaquaticandforesthabitatsfromasmall,motorizedskiff.Ourguidesandboathandlersaresuperblytrainedspottersandwhenneeded,prefertosilenceourboat’smotorandquietlypaddleinforabetterlook.AgamiHeron,Boat-billedHeron,Bare-throatedTigerHeron,Yellow-crownedNight-Heron,TricoloredHeron,AmericanPygmy-Kingfisher,Boat-billedHeron,LaughingFalcon,BatFalcon,LesserYellow-headedVulture,Gray-neckedWoodRail,andSungrebearebutafewpotentialhighlightsofavisittoCueroySalado.OthertropicalwildlifespeciescommonlyseenhereincludeBlackHowlerMonkeys,White-facedMonkeys,LesserAnteater,CentralAmericanCoati,Raccoon,GreenIguana,AmericanCrocodile,andSpectacledCaiman.

We’llreturnforunchatTheLodge,andanafternoontorelax,visittheLodge’sbutterflyfarm,orbirdfromtheLodge’sdecks,gardens,ortrails.Afterdinner,we’llbeguidedaroundtheLodge’sgardensandplantationareaswhereMottledOwl,VermiculatedScreechOwl,BlackandWhiteOwl,andbothGreatandNorthernPootoomaybefound.AstopbyTheLodge’sfrogpondsnearlyalwaysdelightswiththesoundsandsightsofabreedingRed-eyedTreefrogs.Alightedwhiteboardattheedgeoftheforestattractsanamazingvarietyofmoths,beetles,andotherinsectseachnight.Tuesday,Nov.14RioSantiagoNatureResortisa150acre,privatepreservelocated30

kilometerswestofTheLodgeatPicoBonito.Itssecluded,rainforestlocationandimpressivenumbersofhummingbirdfeedershasearneditthenameof,“HummingbirdcapitalofHonduras”.Throughoutmostoftheyear,Santiago’strailsandmaingardenareasaboundwithbewilderingnumbersofsomeofHonduras’mostwell-knownhummingbirdspecies.Rufous-tailedHummingbird,CinnamonHummingbird,BrownViolet-ear,Band-tailedBarbthroat,VioletSabrewing,CrownedWoodnymph,Stripe-throatedHermit,Long-billedHermit,Stripe-tailedHummingbird,White-belliedEmerald,andScaly-breastedHummingbirdarebutafewofthespeciesthatfrequentSantiago’sfeeders.Black-crestedCoquetteisalsooftenseenonSantiago’smaintrail.We’llhavelunchatRioSantiagoNatureResortandspendpartoftheafternoonhere.Keel-billedMotmotandRufous-tailedJacamararefrequentlyseenalongSantiago’strailsystem.Manyotherbirdsmaybefoundhere,withpossibilitiesincludingRed-cappedManakin,White-collaredManakin,AmazonKingfisher,Boat-billedFlycatcher,Golden-hoodedTanager,andanassortmentofmigrantsfromNorthAmerica.WereturntoPicoBonitointimeforanearlydinnerandanearlybedtime,inordertobereadyforaveryearlystartonWednesday.Wednesday,Nov.15We’llbeginthisfulldayofbirdingHonduras’uniquedryforesthabitatwithanearlybreakfastatTheLodge,anddepartureby4:30am.Thetargetofoursearch,thebeautifulbutcriticallyendangeredHonduranEmerald,isahummingbirdthatsurvivesonlyinremainingpocketsoftropicaldryforesttothesouthofPicoBonitoNationalPark.Descendingthe“rainshadow”,orsouthernsideofthePark,cloudforestedpeaksandpinestuddedslopesgivewaytoanarid,almostdesert-likeplain,oncedominatedbytropicalthornordryforest.Althoughendangered,theHonduranEmeraldisconsideredcommonwithinitshabitat.Assuch,regardlessofseason,ourchancesofseeingtheHonduranEmeraldareverygood.

Ourrideinto“Emeraldcountry”canbeequallyexciting,asasurprisingnumberofbirdspeciesinhabitdryforest.Alongtheway,we’llalsovisitlocalizedwetareaswithinthisaridregion.Thesesitescanbemagnetsforwadingbirdsandotherspecies.We’llhopetofindmanybirdsthataren’texpectedaroundPicoBonito,withpossibilitiesincludingDouble-stripedThick-knee,LesserRoadrunner,LesserGroundCuckoo,NorthernBeardless-Tyrannulet,White-loredGnatcatcher,White-throatedMagpie-jay,BandedWren,White-bellied

Wren,andStripe-headedSparrow,andSalvin’sEmerald,amongothers.We’llenjoylunchinthenearbyranchingtownofOlanchito,andreturntoTheLodgebylateafternoon.Thursday,Nov.16We’llmeetourguideforanotherearlybreakfast,andtravelwesttotheLancetillaBotanicalGardens.Setamidstacoastalvalleyflankedbylow,rain-forestedhills,TheUnitedFruitCompanyfoundedLancetillaasastationwheretropicalfruitandwoodtreeswerestudiedforcommercialvalue.TheGardenswerefoundedin1925,andsomeofthatworkcontinues.Howeverthisdiversetropicaltreasure,composedofamosaicofforestandedgehabitats,istodaybestknownforitssuperbbirding.Honduras’annualChristmasBirdCountisheldatLancetilla,andeveryDecember,birdwatchersflocktoconfirm,andaddto,theGarden’sgrowinglistofcolorful,tropicalspecies.ThecurrentbirdlistreadslikeaWho’sWhooftropicalbirds,andincludesmotmots,manakins,woodcreepers,warblers,woodpeckers,toucans,tanagers,andscoresofothers.Migrantwarblers,vireos,flycatchers,andgrosbeaksfromthenortharealsofrequentatLancetilla.Thankstothisdiversity,atypicaldayofbirdingherecouldyieldmanyofthesespecies:LittleTinamou,CommonBlackHawk,White-tailedKite,RuddyCrake,White-frontedParrot,Olive-throatedParakeet,SquirrelCuckoo,GarteredTrogon,Turquoise-browedMotmot,Rufous-tailedJacamar,GreatAntshrike,BarredAntshrike,Tawny-wingedWoodcreeper,Long-billedGnatwren,andothers.AfterourmorningatLancetillaweheadtothebeach-sidetownofTelaforlunch,andherewehaveagoodchancetoseeRoyalTern,SandwichTern,NeotropicCormorant,andshorebirdsonastrollalongtheedgeoftheCaribbeanSea.WereturntoTheLodgebylateafternoon.Friday,Nov.17Wedepartrightafterbreakfastforthetruetropicalislandparadiseknownas“TheCayosCochinos”.Thissmall,Caribbeanarchipelagoisagroupof15remoteislandslocatedabout9milesnorthoftheHonduranmainlandandduesouthoftheislandofRoatan.Theentiresystemofpristineislandsandsurroundingcoralreefisdesignatedasabiologicalreserve.FromTheLodge,wetraveltotheGarifunavillageofSamboCreektoboardourboatandenjoythe1hourridetotheislands.Often,theboatrideitselfisanadventureasyoumayseedolphins,seaturtlesorevenwhalesalongtheway,alongwithgulls,terns,andotherwaterbirds.

We’llexploreandsnorkeloverastunningvarietyofbeautifulreefstructures,wheremarinelifeisabundantandallsortsofreeffish,invertebrates,andoftenseaturtlescanbeseen.In-betweensnorkelingstops,we’llalsopauseforashorthikeononeofthelargerkeys,inhopesofgettingaglimpseoftheislands’remarkablepinkboaconstrictorandavarietyofbirds.Ourislandadventurewillfinishoffwithadelicious,traditionalGarifunalunchonthewhitesandbeachofoneoftheinhabitedkeysnamed“CayoChachahuate”,beforeheadingbacktothemainland,andtheLodge.Thosewhodon’twishtoswimorsnorkelwillstillfindthistobeanenjoyableday,asyou’llseewonderfulwildlifeabovethewaterandbeautifulscenery.Saturday,Nov.18OurjourneyconcludeswithtransferbacktotheairportatSanPedroSulaintimeforafternoonflightsbacktotheUS.Leadership

Rob Gibbs

RobGibbshasworkedasWildlifeEcologistfortheMontgomeryCountyDepartmentofParksandPlanningforthepast13years.Priortohiscurrentposition,heworkedasanaturalistfor15yearsforMontgomeryCountyParksandotherorganizations.Robhasbeenleadingnaturalhistoryclassesandfieldtripsforover25yearsforMontgomeryParks,theAudubonNaturalistSociety,theSmithsonianInstitution,theNationalParkService,theNationalWildlifeFederationandotherorganizations.Hislifelongpassionislearningandteachingothersaboutthenaturalworld.RecentANStripsledbyRobincludeYellowstone,Alaska,andPanama.